11/05/2025
By Ann Ciaraldi

Greetings River Hawks!

As you may be aware, as of this past Saturday, November 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been discontinued for as long as the federal government continues to be shutdown. SNAP supports more than one million Massachusetts residents in gaining access to food resources. This also has impacted many of our campus community - students, faculty and staff - who rely on these funds to put food on tables to support themselves and their families. There is some information that SNAP benefits will be issued for November but at half of the normal benefit as it is being paid via emergency funds. Regardless, many in our community find themselves without the ability to secure food for themselves and/or their family, and while half of their monthly benefit will assist those in need, it will not fully meet their food needs.

For those in need of assistance, we encourage you to utilize the UML Strive Pantry, additional campus pantries and local community pantries.

The UML Strive Pantry exists and persists with the generous donations of our community. We are happy to accept donations, and if you would like to donate, please visit the Strive webpage on how to donate to the Strive Pantry or email uml_strive@uml.edu.

SOS Meal Swipe Program: Another way we assist students is through meal donations made by students with a meal plan. If any students with a meal plan would like to donate up to 2 of their guest meal swipes, please see the SOS donation webpage. SOS provides five meals per week to students with demonstrated need which makes a huge difference to students who are food insecure.

Thank you for your continued support of our programs, and to those in need please do not hesitate to reach out via email uml_strive@uml.edu.

Annie Ciaraldi, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Rich Doria, Asst. Director, Student and Family Support Services